XR for Heritage Tourism

Overview & Core Objectives

This use demonstrates the practical application of Extended Reality (XR) in cultural heritage tourism by transforming standard 3D models into captivating holographic projections using cost-effective, foldable hologram pyramids and mobile devices. Led by ARCTUR alongside consortium partners (IN2, ICCD, FBK), this scenario leveraged the automated AR hologram pipeline embedded within the 3Dweaver viewer and 3d-heritage.eu platform. The primary goal was to empower cultural heritage institutions (CHIs) and tourism destinations to create and deploy interactive holographic experiences without needing specialized software, high-end hardware, or extensive technical expertise.

Key Technological Components

• Automated Holographic Video Pipeline: Hosted on the 3d-heritage.eu portal, this tool automatically converts pre-existing 3D models into four-view holographic video formats tailored for pyramid projection.
• Holographic Pyramid Kits & Postcards: Portable, foldable pyramid kits designed for mobile phones (small) and tablets (large), paired with physical postcards featuring QR codes that link directly to interactive landing pages.
• WEAVEx Landing Pages: Custom digital storytelling environments that host the 3D assets, holographic media, and contextual tourism narratives

Testing & Deployment Framework

Between March and June 2026, the scenario was deployed across European heritage tourism destinations selected through an open call that attracted 25 applications from 8 countries. Five key destinations completed full testing and evaluation:

Open Call Announcement

• TIC Moravske Toplice / Romanesque Rotunda Selo (Slovenia)
• German Maritime Museum / Bremen Cog (Germany)
• Planet Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Historical Museum of Hermoupolis, Syros (Greece)
• Augusta Bagiennorum (Italy)

Postcard Bremer Kogge Hologram

Planet Sarajevo Hologram

Key Findings & Visitor Evaluation

• The "Wow" Factor: Destinations consistently reported high visitor delight, rating the visual impact between 4/5 ("Very Good") and 5/5 ("Excellent") across all age groups.
• Audience Adaptability: While mobile phone pyramids suited individual tourists, tablet-sized pyramids inside dark viewing boxes proved ideal for groups and school tours.
• Operational Efficiency: Museum staff required minimal training (under 5 hours). Explaining the setup to visitors took minimal effort, and the experience either maintained or increased on-site dwell time without causing bottlenecks in visitor flow.
• Unplanned Educational Success: Primary and secondary school groups emerged as a major secondary target audience, with institutions using the hologram kits as engaging educational gifts and teaching tools.

XR hologram experience at Augusta Bagiennorum (Italy). The phone with the hologram pyramid was placed inside a box, with the darkened enclosure enhancing the holographic display.

Wider Cultural & Strategic Impact

• National Firsts & Press Recognition: Planet Sarajevo introduced one of Bosnia and Herzegovina's first publicly accessible holographic heritage displays, generating national media coverage. Local press and national newspapers (e.g., La Stampa in Italy) highlighted the innovative blend of physical souvenirs and digital technology.
• Specialist & Event Reach: The German Maritime Museum showcased its holographic Bremen Cog model at an international maritime academic conference, while the Historical Museum of Hermoupolis engaged over 600 festival visitors during the Documenting Heritage Festival.
• Commercial Viability: The combination of physical postcards, QR codes, and pyramid kits opened up new revenue streams as branded museum shop souvenirs.